Arizona ousts Ryan, Falcons

GLENDALE, Ariz. - The Cardinals have consecutive home playoff victories - 61 years apart.

Kurt Warner opened with a 42-yard touchdown pass to Larry Fitzgerald and connected with Anquan Boldin on a 71-yard scoring play as Arizona beat Atlanta, 30-24, yesterday before a raucous, towel-waving crowd.

It was the franchise's first home playoff game since the then-Chicago Cardinals beat Philadelphia to win the NFL championship in 1947.

"A lot of people coming into this game said we were the worst playoff team ever to get in," Arizona coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "I think we rallied around that."

Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan was intercepted twice, was tackled in the end zone for a safety, and fumbled the ball away on a botched handoff. That fumble was returned 27 yards by Antrel Rolle 52 seconds into the second half to put Arizona ahead for good.

Everyone knew the Cardinals could pass, but a stout defense and effective running game were bonuses.

"You have to really give credit first to their defense," Falcons guard Harvey Dahl said. "They did an outstanding job.

"They were flying all over the place."

Atlanta's 60 yards rushing represented a season low.

"We couldn't run the ball," Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said. "We had to throw it around a little bit more than we're used to.

"Things like that kind of put us behind the 8-ball."

Arizona's Edgerrin James outgained Atlanta's Michael Turner, the NFL's No. 2 rusher.

"They controlled the line of scrimmage," Falcons coach Mike Smith said of the Cardinals' defense.

James, who has made it known he will not be back with the Cardinals next season, carried 16 times for 73 yards. Turner, who rushed for 1,699 yards in the regular season, had 42 yards in 18 attempts.

Warner, in the playoffs for the first time since leading St. Louis to a second Super Bowl after the 2001 season, was 19 of 32, 13 for 17 in the second half, for 271 yards. He was intercepted once.

"I hope this gives us a lot of confidence," Warner said. "I knew we thought we could win this game. Hopefully, we can parlay this into some more confidence and know we can win wherever we have to go."

Arizona will play at either the New York Giants or Carolina Panthers next weekend.

Ryan, the Boston College product who was AP offensive rookie of the year, completed 26 of 40 passes for 199 yards and two scores.

"I think you have to remember what we did as a team this year and we did some things well," Ryan said. "We made some strides as a team as the year went on. But you have to use this as motivation."

"I thought Matt would like to have some throws back," Smith said. "But this is a new experience for him. This is a new experience for our entire team."

The Cardinals went 9-7 to win a weak NFC West and make the playoffs for the first time in a decade. After clinching the division, they were blown out by Minnesota and New England in the two weeks preceding their regular-season finale victory over Seattle.

Atlanta (11-5) finished a game behind Carolina in the tough NFC South and came in a winner of five of its last six. But from the start Arizona showed that, at least on this afternoon, it belonged in the postseason.

"A lot of people in Atlanta were giving us no chance," Arizona safety Adrian Wilson said. "There was a lot of talk in the paper from them about how it was a blessing for them to come out here."

Antonio Smith's tackle of Ryan for a safety put Arizona ahead, 30-17, with 12:37 to play.

The Falcons made it close. On fourth and 6, Ryan connected with Jerious Norwood for 28 yards to Cardinals 26. That led to Ryan's 5-yard scoring pass to Roddy White with 4:15 left. But Warner completed passes to Fitzgerald, Steve Breaston, and Stephen Spach, then the Cardinals ran out the clock.

When it was over, Whisenhunt ran along the front row of the stadium, exchanging high-fives with fans. The Cardinals didn't sell out the game until Friday, but the throng was loud and boisterous throughout.